Services

Arsonist jailed for torching chapel

A MAN who torched a treasured Blandford chapel has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

John James Groom Sennett, aged 26, was sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court for what a judge described as an ‘appallingly insensitive’ crime.

Mark Ruffell, prosecuting, told the court that firefighters were called to the chapel at the town’s cemetery early on the morning of Sunday, September 15 last year and found a fire.

Examination of the scene revealed two broken windows where someone had entered and exited the chapel, which had been locked on the Friday night.

Also discovered were at least three areas where fires had been lit, including a lectern and a bible that had been set alight, and it appeared an accelerant had been used in places.

That morning attempted thefts of fuel from vehicles were also discovered at two locations in the town.

Blood found in the chapel and at the scene of the two attempted fuel thefts were found to match that of the defendant.

Sennett, of Castleman-Smith Close, Blandford, admitted the attempted thefts at his first appearance at court but initially denied the arson before changing his plea on the day he was due to stand trial.

The court was told he had 35 previous convictions for 69 offences.

The chapel that was damaged in the arson attack dates back to 1855 and was regularly used for services and funerals.

Mr Ruffell said the value of the damage was estimated at around £33,000 and the chapel had been closed since the incident.

He said: “This attack has been felt by the community in Blandford.”

Mr Ruffell said Blandford town clerk Linda Scott-Giles had described how town council staff responsible for the site were left ‘speechless’ and ‘emotional’ when they learned of the offence. Tom Horder, representing Sennett, said his client was genuinely sorry for the upset his actions had caused.

He said: “I hope the court can accept that this defendant now fully understands the seriousness of his actions and also the consequences.

“The consequences not just in terms of the physical damage, but the understandable feelings of outrage felt by those who know and use this chapel.”

Judge Roger Jarvis told the defendant: “Those actions that you took were appallingly insensitive to the feelings of very many people.”

Comments

I was going to say, did you drive all the way to Blandford, Silly me, it was Dorchester Crown Court.

I was going to say, did you drive all the way to Blandford, Silly me, it was Dorchester Crown Court.MrTomSmith

I was going to say, did you drive all the way to Blandford, Silly me, it was Dorchester Crown Court.

Score: -3

cosmick
6:52am Tue 8 Apr 14

Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.

Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.cosmick

Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.

Score: 3

Sigurd Hoeberth
12:07pm Tue 8 Apr 14

cosmick wrote…

Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.

I wonder what efforts they have made to see to his mental health needs instead of making matters worse by constantly putting him in this stupid , revolving door system, where they can ignore him until they have to let him out and he is twice as bad. I wonder if the system had caught him at the beginning and dealt with it properly, if he would have ever gone on to do the rest or now be living a useful and full life? Our system of law and reform is a complete farce, always has been and this country has always treated it's Men like expendable s**t .

[quote][p][bold]cosmick[/bold] wrote:
Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.[/p][/quote]I wonder what efforts they have made to see to his mental health needs instead of making matters worse by constantly putting him in this stupid , revolving door system, where they can ignore him until they have to let him out and he is twice as bad. I wonder if the system had caught him at the beginning and dealt with it properly, if he would have ever gone on to do the rest or now be living a useful and full life? Our system of law and reform is a complete farce, always has been and this country has always treated it's Men like expendable s**t .Sigurd Hoeberth

cosmick wrote…

Another pillar of society.35 convictions what is a matter with this country? Did he come from a broken home or is he just someone we should take out of the society.

I wonder what efforts they have made to see to his mental health needs instead of making matters worse by constantly putting him in this stupid , revolving door system, where they can ignore him until they have to let him out and he is twice as bad. I wonder if the system had caught him at the beginning and dealt with it properly, if he would have ever gone on to do the rest or now be living a useful and full life? Our system of law and reform is a complete farce, always has been and this country has always treated it's Men like expendable s**t .

Score: 9

woodsedge
2:11pm Tue 8 Apr 14

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!woodsedge

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

Score: -1

Sigurd Hoeberth
4:18pm Tue 8 Apr 14

woodsedge wrote…

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.

While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.

The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.

[quote][p][bold]woodsedge[/bold] wrote:
Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy![/p][/quote]What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.
While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.
The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.Sigurd Hoeberth

woodsedge wrote…

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.

While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.

The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.

Score: 1

woodsedge
6:19pm Tue 8 Apr 14

Sigurd Hoeberth wrote…

woodsedge wrote…

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.

While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.

The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.

Stalking me again old chap! Unlike you I do not see male criminals as misunderstood nor do I see female criminals as angels. If you do the crime then do the time and take off those masogynistic glasses instead of seeing every story as an attack on your manhood.

[quote][p][bold]Sigurd Hoeberth[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]woodsedge[/bold] wrote:
Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy![/p][/quote]What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.
While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.
The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.[/p][/quote]Stalking me again old chap! Unlike you I do not see male criminals as misunderstood nor do I see female criminals as angels. If you do the crime then do the time and take off those masogynistic glasses instead of seeing every story as an attack on your manhood.woodsedge

Sigurd Hoeberth wrote…

woodsedge wrote…

Google the name and you get a good idea of what a low life this excuse for a man is. I wonder how much public money has been spent on this individual and still he hasn't learnt. It would also appear that the PUKIP election team eg Sigturd and cosmic have a difference of opinion on their crime policy!

What a nasty piece of left-wing work you are Woodsedge.

While you worship on your knees at the font of labia, you fail to realise that society will never be at peace until man can learn to love his fellow man and care about him as a brother.

The weaker men fall into chivalrous slots, where they belong like drones.

Stalking me again old chap! Unlike you I do not see male criminals as misunderstood nor do I see female criminals as angels. If you do the crime then do the time and take off those masogynistic glasses instead of seeing every story as an attack on your manhood.

Score: 2

Sigurd Hoeberth
6:28pm Tue 8 Apr 14

Do you really think that given the Echo archives and article comments are searchable, anyone is going to believe I am stalking YOU? You really are a sad little left wing man. Anyhow being I am Ten to the power of you......

....as someone who is always calling everyone else "Bigot" , "Misogynist" and racist, can you please tell me, where do you stand on the proper Muslim religion and the issue of Male genital mutilation.

Are you capable of debate with linked source and fact....or will you run away again?

Do you really think that given the Echo archives and article comments are searchable, anyone is going to believe I am stalking YOU? You really are a sad little left wing man. Anyhow being I am Ten to the power of you......
....as someone who is always calling everyone else "Bigot" , "Misogynist" and racist, can you please tell me, where do you stand on the proper Muslim religion and the issue of Male genital mutilation.
Are you capable of debate with linked source and fact....or will you run away again?Sigurd Hoeberth

Do you really think that given the Echo archives and article comments are searchable, anyone is going to believe I am stalking YOU? You really are a sad little left wing man. Anyhow being I am Ten to the power of you......

....as someone who is always calling everyone else "Bigot" , "Misogynist" and racist, can you please tell me, where do you stand on the proper Muslim religion and the issue of Male genital mutilation.

Are you capable of debate with linked source and fact....or will you run away again?

Score: 2

woodsedge
6:38pm Tue 8 Apr 14

What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.

What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.woodsedge

What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.

Score: -2

Sigurd Hoeberth
6:40pm Tue 8 Apr 14

woodsedge wrote…

What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.

Just throwing some of your vitriol on past comments back at you, as we see, when confronted you have a meltdown and avoid debate.

[quote][p][bold]woodsedge[/bold] wrote:
What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.[/p][/quote]Just throwing some of your vitriol on past comments back at you, as we see, when confronted you have a meltdown and avoid debate.Sigurd Hoeberth

woodsedge wrote…

What the hell does "the Muslin religion" have to do with a petty criminal that deserves to go inside and have the key thrown away! You definitely are "ten to the power" of me when it comes to your many Echo accounts and voting your own perverse comments. As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu Sigturd.

Just throwing some of your vitriol on past comments back at you, as we see, when confronted you have a meltdown and avoid debate.

Score: 4

Sigurd Hoeberth
6:42pm Tue 8 Apr 14

Do you always rely on false claims to hide your weakness too? I use this one account. Do you have any proof otherwise or will you just carry on making up crap like an idiot how runs away ? GO on...come out with it...you'll feel better, stalker.

Do you always rely on false claims to hide your weakness too? I use this one account. Do you have any proof otherwise or will you just carry on making up crap like an idiot how runs away ? GO on...come out with it...you'll feel better, stalker.Sigurd Hoeberth

Do you always rely on false claims to hide your weakness too? I use this one account. Do you have any proof otherwise or will you just carry on making up crap like an idiot how runs away ? GO on...come out with it...you'll feel better, stalker.

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